Dawn's Fall Favorites

Favorite song stuck on replay:  This Is Amazing Grace, by Phil Wickham.  We've been singing this a lot recently at church and I love, love, love it.  We are in a series called #thisisworship.  Yes, that's a "hashtag".  I confess, I'm old and have not much interest in any additional social media/technology besides Facebook (which I often need a hiatus from as it is!).  I just learned about the "hashtag" a few months ago.  Our church placed the # (=hashtag) in front of the sermon series title because they wanted to encourage a social media campaign about worship, what worship is, where we can worship (anywhere!), etc.  Take a listen if you like...

POWER Clean Eating Challenge Kickoff

Wow!  What a great turnout of women we had for our P.O.W.E.R. Clean Eating Challenge Kickoff/Q&A!  It is a very special sisterhood we are blessed to be part of:  women passionate about fitness and nutrition, while seeking balance in all other aspects of life - faith, mothering, family relationships, work, ministry....  The energy was electric at LeAnne's on Sunday!  What a thrill to be part of that, and to see so many women hungry (no pun intended) for change, especially in the area of food.  We are blessed beyond measure with this crazy ride we are on, and the opportunity to serve others with the knowledge and experience we are gathering!  For some "light" blogging, in the midst of a crazy kickoff week, enjoy some photos from this amazing, successful event! 

Us "green girls" in action... 

Over 40 POWER women (and a few teenage daughters!)...

Sweet Jenni opened our fun evening and we were so happy our much loved Janine was able to join us halfway through, after her own very crazy, busy day!

POWER girls enjoyed a table full of examples of Clean Eats we buy at the grocery store.  

In the kitchen, they enjoyed samples of Kale Chips, Roasted Chickpeas, Black Bean & Avocado Salsa, Peanut Butter Cookies, Raw Fudge, Green Smoothies, bread from Great Harvest Bread Co.and samples of Soy, Almond, and Coconut milks. 

And, of course, fun and fellowship! 

And, our newly put together recipe and info binders...

We are overwhelmed and amazed at what is happening here in the suburbs of Raleigh, in our little part of the world!  Something BIG is happening!  Bigger than any of us.  We have no idea where the road is leading, but our hands are open to however God wants to use us.  It is a joy and a privilege to serve you!

Blessings-

dawn & leanne

LARABARS

If you've never had a LARABAR, you must!  These are one of our favorite convenience snack foods.  I keep some in our cars, as a healthy portable snack option.  While they are processed, their short, simple ingredient lists give them a 5 star rating.  Most contain dates, and some type of nut, as the bars' base flavor.  Our personal favorites are the fruity ones:  Cherry Pie, Key Lime Pie, Lemon, Blueberry Muffin, Apple Pie.  Cappucino is a newer flavor, and is lots of fun.  Whole Foods has the largest variety by far.  Followed by Harris Teeter and Trader Joe's.  Super Target carries a few flavors.  Typical price per bar runs between $1-$1.50.  Whole Foods gives a discount for buying a case and Harris Teeter often has them on sale for $1 each.  I have purchased boxes in bulk from Amazon before, that brought the cost per bar below that.  We cannot stress enough, though, to always read (ingredient) labels, because I know at least one of the chocolate varieties contains added sugar. 

My sweet neighbor friend recently jumped on the bandwagon to improve her family's diet.  She has amazed me with her eagerness to learn and try new things!  I am so proud of her and I love to watch the glow in her eyes as she breaks through the myth that healthy food is boring and unflavorful.  Earlier this week, she made these little morsels of joy, a homemade version of the LARABAR.  Delicious does not adequately describe how good these were!  Even better than a real LARABAR!  I thought about them all day yesterday!  And I am determined to get to the store for dates, at least by the end of the week.  They are very rich in flavor, so a little goes a long way.  We both agreed that instead of bar shapes, next time she (I!) would roll in tiny balls to make them bite sized.  I think the fact that these are stored in the fridge, accentuates the flavors even more.  This recipe comes from Chef Katelyn.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough LARABARS
1 c. pitted, packed medjool dates
2 T. raisins
2/3 c. almonds
1 t. vanilla extract
2 T. mini vegan (or dark chocolate) chocolate chips

In a food processor, pulse almonds into small pieces, or until no whole almonds are left.  Add dates, raisins, and vanilla extract, then pulse until combined and it starts to roll around in a ball.  Add chocolate chips and pulse a few times, then place in a bowl and mash with your hands.  Break up into 5 equal sections and form into bars.  Wrap with wax paper or plastic wrap.  Store in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat.

Happy sweet eats-
dawn

Food Find: Pepita Sun Seed Butter

Pepita Sun Seed Butter, made by Naturally Nutty, was one of my favorite food finds in 2011.  I purchase ours at our local Great Harvest Bread Company.  It is made from Pepita (Pumpkin) Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax and Hemp, and some spices.  Flax Seed and Hemp Seed are nutritional powerhouses, so you can't beat that!  One of my favorite breakfasts is Pepita Sun Seed Butter on a lightly toasted Ezekiel 4:9 English Muffin, drizzled with local honey, and served with a grapefruit.